Kupwara, Oct 14 (KNO): As the winter approaches, the residents of north Kashmir's Kupwara district Saturday complained about unscheduled power cuts and extended containments thus leaving them including commercial establishments to suffer.
People from parts of Handwara including Rajwar (Upper & Lower), Pohru, Qalamabad, Main Town, Langate areas, and the other places in Kupwara like Sogam, Lalpora, Kralpora, and Hyhama few other locations also complained about the unscheduled extended power curtailment
Expressing their anguish the concerned residents told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that even ahead of the bone-chilling harsh winter season Power Development Department (PDD) has to unscheduled and extended power curtailments thus leaving all to suffer, students and those associated with different business in particular.
Majeed Ahmad, a Handwara resident said that they are facing various problems due to unscheduled power cuts. "Those associated with works that require electricity are the worst sufferers. Students also aren't able to complete homework at home given dark evenings."
Ahad Khan, another resident, said that people belonging to poor backgrounds can't afford advanced gadgets to not worry about unscheduled power cuts. "All can not afford inverters and big batteries. Authorities also need to think about people and manage the load accordingly," he said while suggesting PDD issue a curtailment schedule that is for the good of people.
Ashraf Ahmad a resident of Sogam while complaining about unscheduled power cuts said that PDD also needs to be at least sympathetic towards consumers. "Like, they urge the consumers, similarly they also need to think about people given the amount of dependency on electricity. Almost everything these days depends on it varying from different requirements," he said.
Firdous Ahmad, another Lolab resident, said that students are suffering due to extended unscheduled power cuts. "Children back home in the evening don't get enough time to complete homework and other assignments. They don't get fair opportunities to learn some important topics and lessons," he said.
The residents also said that those associated with different businesses are also suffering due to prolonged power cuts thus causing losses.
They have urged the authorities concerned to rethink power curtailment schedules. Authorities need to consider the amount of dependency of consumers on power—(KNO)